To invest in human and technological resources to serve both the RE-entering federally incarcerated individuals and their in-facility RE-entry specialists and training instructors in minimum and…

The Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration awarded a $20 million cooperative agreement under the Reentry Employment Opportunities program (CFDA 17.270) to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The award will fund the development of reentry services in five minimum and two low-security prisons and camps in Pennsylvania from October 1, 2022 through March 30, 2026.

Key services include job club programming, case management, and employment navigation to reduce recidivism and improve employment outcomes among 200 program participants. The Department of Labor and Industry will create three positions - a Project Manager, Education Program Managers, and Service Navigators - to coordinate services. Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies will also receive an unspecified amount of sub-award funding to support these reentry employment efforts. The goals are to achieve recidivism and employment rates that surpass state benchmarks by the award completion date.

To invest in human and technological resources to serve both the RE-entering federally incarcerated individuals and their in-facility RE-entry specialists and training instructors in minimum and low-security prisons and camps as possible. Activities performed pennsylvania's proposal focuses on job club and navigation services through the development of three unique positions: a project manager, education program managers, and service navigators. The project manager will be critical in managing, coordinating, and leading an effective and collaborative working environment among all program stakeholders and cross-agency partners. The education program manager(s) will initiate the enrollment process with those interested in participating in our programming and manage job club. The service navigator(s) will place focus on stage two and three of our project and will serve as a point-of-contact of the participant, similar to a social worker or case manager. The service navigator will manage a maximum caseload of 20 program participants. The service navigator will assist with barriers before the participant's release, including identifying and addressing basic needs, housing plans, transportation needs, identification information, financial planning, supportive services, and program referral needs such as mental health, counseling, and substance abuse services, if not provided by the RRC already. Job club is a networking group that helps individuals prepare for employment and reentry through coaching, collaboration, and training. The job club curriculum will consist of an essential skills training program that would introduce skills necessary in the program participant's personal and professional life. Deliverables enroll 200 participants. Reduce recidivism for program participants below state average of 62% ? Improve employment outcomes amongst program participants 50% employment rate Q2 and 45% employment rate Q4 ? At least 50% of program participants who obtain employment receive at least 1 additional job quality metric ? Increase capacity of justice and workforce system partnerships intended beneficiary RE-entering individuals in five minimum and two low-security prisons and camps. Subrecipient activities n/a